When you get to your mid-20s, you start to feel responsibilities

"When you get to your mid-20s, you start to feel responsibilities for the things that you do and the people around you. It's a cool age." These words spoken by Eliza Dushku speak to the threshold of adulthood, a moment when the joys and freedoms of youth begin to intertwine with the weight of responsibility. The mid-20s is often a time of awakening, a period where one shifts from the carefree days of adolescence into the world of accountability and purpose. It is a time when the realities of life begin to take root, and where the choices one makes begin to have a deeper and more lasting impact, not just on oneself, but on the people and world around them. Dushku’s reflection highlights the coolness not just in the independence that comes with adulthood, but in the clarity of purpose and the mature understanding of one’s role in the larger tapestry of life.

In the ancient world, the age of adulthood was seen as a pivotal moment in one’s journey toward wisdom and self-realization. The Greeks, with their emphasis on philosophy and the cultivation of virtue, believed that adulthood was the period in life when one was best suited to contribute to society and to engage in the pursuit of knowledge. For them, the transition from youth to adulthood marked the beginning of one's responsibility to both self and society. Plato in his works, especially in The Republic, spoke of the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions as a means to cultivate a life of justice and order. In this way, the mid-20s was a time when one should begin to engage deeply with the world, shaping it through their choices, and in turn, being shaped by it.

Consider the life of Socrates, who, in his early adulthood, began to question the values and norms of Athenian society. At this point in his life, he was not yet fully recognized for his philosophical greatness, but he was keenly aware of the responsibilities that come with being a member of his community. He began his philosophical journey by taking responsibility for his own growth and by seeking to influence those around him toward greater self-awareness and moral integrity. Socrates recognized that adulthood was the time to pursue wisdom not just for personal growth, but for the betterment of society as a whole. He understood that one's choices, actions, and reflections have a profound impact on the world—and this responsibility, he believed, is at the heart of what it means to be truly adult.

Eliza Dushku’s words remind us that as we reach our mid-20s, we are called to embrace responsibility with both humility and pride. The coolness she describes is not about the outward trappings of adulthood, such as career success or material possessions, but rather about the internal transformation that occurs when we begin to own our decisions and the effects they have on the lives of those we care for. It is an age when the carefree abandon of youth begins to give way to a more deliberate, purposeful existence, where we take stock of the lives we want to lead and the values we want to uphold. To be cool at this age is to face the world with clarity, not just about who we are, but about how we will act and what we will contribute to the lives of others.

Consider the story of Mahatma Gandhi, who, in his twenties, felt a deep sense of personal responsibility for the oppression faced by his fellow Indians under British rule. Gandhi’s own transformation from a young law student in London to a revolutionary leader was shaped by his growing awareness of the world’s injustices and his role in confronting them. His responsibility was not just to himself but to his people. His early years were marked by a deep inner conflict as he sought to reconcile his dreams of personal success with his newfound commitment to social justice. Gandhi’s journey teaches us that the mid-20s is a time of both self-discovery and commitment to the greater good. It is a time when purpose begins to define not just what we do, but who we become.

In this age of the mid-20s, we are also called to reflect on our legacy and contribution to the world. The lesson in Dushku’s words is that as we take on new responsibilities—whether in relationships, careers, or society—we should do so with a sense of honor and commitment. We are building not just our own lives, but the lives of the people around us. Each choice we make has the potential to shape the future, whether in the way we support our loved ones or how we pursue our passions with a sense of greater purpose. This is not a time for recklessness or procrastination, but for taking action in a way that aligns with the values we hold dear.

As you stand on the threshold of your own mid-20s, whether you are already there or approaching it, remember this: embrace the responsibilities that come with this stage of life. Do not shrink from them or allow them to overwhelm you. Understand that true adulthood is not about achieving a set of external markers—it is about embracing responsibility with grace, humility, and vision. Cultivate the wisdom to know that every decision, no matter how small, has a ripple effect on the lives of those around you. Stand firm in your beliefs, and take ownership of the path you are walking. Like the great thinkers and leaders of history, your mid-20s is the time to step into your power, embrace the fullness of your potential, and build a life that is both meaningful and impactful.